Tianwen-2 Mission of China’s Planetary Exploration Program

Abstract The Tianwen-2 small bodies exploration mission, as an important part of China’s planetary exploration program, will achieve a sample return of the Earth quasi-satellite 2016 HO 3 and a close-proximity exploration of the main-belt comet 311P through a single mission. Here we introduce the targets, engineering goals, scientific goals and payload configuration of the Tianwen-2 mission, as well as the overall flight plan, close-proximity scientific investigation strategy, sampling plan. We also analyze the anticipated scientific data and the scientific goals the mission seeks to address. This mission will establish intelligent and advanced planetary exploration capabilities and is expected to yield groundbreaking scientific discoveries that will enhance our understanding of solar system evolution.